World Seagrass Day highlights the urgent need to raise awareness at all levels and to promote and facilitate actions for the conservation of seagrasses in order to contribute to their health and development, bearing in mind that enhancing ecosystem services and functions is important for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

World Tuna Day is observed on 2 May to Address the decline in tuna stocks resulting from overfishing in the world’s oceans, the UN Legal Counsel emphasizes the critical importance of effectively implementing the international legal framework, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, widely known as UNCLOS, which has been strengthened by the Code of Conduct for Sustainable Fishery, the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, recommendations of its Review Conference, annual General Assembly resolutions on sustainable fisheries, as well as other efforts by the international community at the global, regional and national levels.

The General Assembly of the United Nations declared 5 June the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing at its seventy-second session in November 2017. The date reflects the day when the Port State Measures Agreement officially entered into force as an international treaty. The entry into force of this agreement marks an historical event, as it is the first international legally-binding instrument specifically devoted to the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Beyond food and economic security and environmental impacts, new geopolitical and conflict threats associated with IUU fishing have emerged. The purpose of this day is to draw attention to the threats posed by IUU fishing activities to the sustainable use of fisheries resources as well as to highlight the ongoing efforts to fight these activities.

Marine Protected Areas Day (MPA Day), held every year on 1 August, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about marine protected areas (MPAs) and their essential role in ocean conservation, sustainable development, and community well-being. First launched in 2021 by South African organisations, MPA Day was created to spotlight a key gap in global environmental observances - none focused specifically on MPAs. The date marks the historic proclamation of 20 new or expanded MPAs in South Africa on 1 August 2019, a major milestone in marine protection. Since then, MPA Day has become an international movement, endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade and embraced by people and organisations around the world.

Lakes are one of the most vital natural resources on our planet. They serve as a crucial source of fresh water, play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, contribute to climate regulation, and provide recreational and economic opportunities. World Lake Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of lakes and the sustainable management of lake and related ecosystems.

World Fisheries Day is celebrated across the world on 21 November annually. The main purpose behind this day is to highlight the importance of sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world, to strengthen human rights for the small-scale fishing communities, to make a true difference in the working conditions of fishing communities and to eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.